APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING LIGHT MODULES
Apparatuses and methods for installing light modules are described. One such apparatus includes a light emitting diode (LED) module including one or more LEDs, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a connector. The apparatus further includes a holder for retaining the LED module and a magnet attached to the lower surface of the holder. The apparatus may then be attached to a surface by the magnet.
This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/893,620 filed Oct. 21, 2013, which application is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety, for any purpose.
BACKGROUNDLight emitting diodes (LEDs) are an increasingly popular choice due to their long life and lower power requirements than traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs are used for new light fixtures in both commercial and domestic environments. Easier installation and flexibility to move light fixtures to new locations may be advantageous. Additionally, it may be desirable to be able to retrofit existing incandescentfixtures with LEDs.
Installing a light fixture often involves making holes in a surface and installing fasteners in the holes to retain the light fixture. Retrofitting an existing light fixture may also involve making holes in the existing fixture and using fasteners to install a new LED module. Making holes and installing fasteners may be difficult due to the material of the surface and/or take a significant amount of time. Once the fixture is installed, it is often difficult to relocate the fixture to a new location. Relocating may involve drilling additional holes, and repairing the holes in the surface at the old location.
The present application describes apparatuses and methods for installing light modules. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the following description and the figures provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without several of the details and components described in the following description.
A light module 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Referring back to
In some embodiments, the dimensions of the holder 160 may be greater than or less than the dimensions of the long end 111 and/or the short end 112 of the PCB 110. When the dimensions of the holder 160 are greater than the PCB 110, the holder may optionally retain additional LED modules 150. When the dimensions of the holder 160 are less than the dimensions of the PCB 110, a portion of LED module 150 may extend beyond the upper surface 161 of the holder 160. In the latter example, the LED module 150 may still be retained by the holder 160.
The light module 100 may be installed by placing it on a metal surface. The surface may be a wall, an existing light fixture, or other surface. The surface may also be of another material that has magnetic properties. The magnet 105 retains the light module 100 to the surface. The connector 120 may be coupled to an LED driver and/or power source (not shown). No drilling of holes or installation of fasteners is required. The LED driver and/or power source may also be attached to the surface by a magnet. In some embodiments, the LED driver and/or power source may be included in the LED module 150.
Still referring to
A light module according to an embodiment of the invention may come as a kit that includes the light module, an LED driver, and a power source or power adapter. The power source may be a battery, a solar panel, or other suitable power source. The power source may be configured to be coupled to the LED driver to provide power. The power adapter may be configured to provide power from a conventional and/or pre-existing power source. For example, the power adapter may be configured to be coupled to a standard incandescent bulb socket, fluorescent light spring socket, or other pre-existing power source known in the art. The power adapter may be further configured to also couple to the LED driver or directly to the light module.
It will be appreciated that while the kits illustrated in
The apparatuses and methods described above may be used to install new light modules or to retrofit existing light fixtures with LED light modules. The apparatuses and methods disclosed may reduce or eliminate the need to make holes in a surface or install fasteners. The time required for installation or retrofitting of light fixtures may be reduced. The light modules may also be more easily removed and/or relocated to different locations. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an LED module;
- a holder configured to retain the LED module with a gap between a lower surface of the LED module and an upper surface of the holder; and
- a magnet attached to a lower surface of the holder.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the holder includes a clip to retain the LED module at a perimeter a the LED module.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the clip includes an elongated member extending vertically from the upper surface of the holder, wherein the elongated member includes a notch in an inner surface of the elongated member and wherein the notch at least partially defines a shoulder and an upper lip for retaining the LED module.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LED module comprises a printed circuit board, an LED coupled to the printed circuit board, and a connector coupled to the printed circuit board.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LED module is rectangular.
6. The apparatus of claim wherein the LED module is curved.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet has the same dimensions as the lower surface of the holder.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet has smaller dimensions than the lower surface of the holder.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a second magnet is attached to the lower surface of the holder.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second LED module coupled to the LED module.
11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the holder is metal.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the holder is plastic.
13. An apparatus, comprising:
- an LED module;
- a holder configured to retain the LED module with a gap between a lower surface of the LED module and an upper surface of the holder;
- a first magnet configured to be attached to a lower surface of the holder;
- an LED driver configured to be coupled to the LED module; and
- a second magnet configured to he attached to a lower surface of the LED driver.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a power source configured to be coupled to the LED driver.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a third magnet attached to a lower surface of the power source.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a power adapter configured to couple to the LED driver and further configured to couple to a power source.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising, a fourth magnet coupled to a lower surface of the power adapter.
18. A method, comprising:
- coupling an LED module to a holder;
- coupling the holder to a surface with a first magnet;
- coupling an LED driver to the surface with a second magnet;
- coupling the LED driver to the light module; and
- coupling the LED driver to a power source.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising coupling the power source to the surface with a third magnet.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising coupling a power adapter to the power source, and the LED driver is coupled to the power adapter.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising coupling the power adapter to the surface with a fourth magnet.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 23, 2015
Patent Grant number: 9587810
Inventor: Esmail Khalid Parekh (Diamond Bar, CA)
Application Number: 14/268,920
International Classification: F21V 21/096 (20060101); F21K 99/00 (20060101);